A Guide To Cockroaches In Montgomery, Chester & Delaware Counties

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are invasive and dangerous pests that are found living throughout the country and across the world. Cockroaches have flattened, oval-shaped bodies and six legs covered in spines. Their long antenna are typically the same length or longer than their bodies. Cockroach nymphs look similar to adults, but are smaller in size and are wingless.

Some of the most common species of cockroaches living in our Pennsylvania area include the German cockroach, American cockroach, Oriental cockroach, and brown-banded cockroach.

German cockroaches
German cockroaches have two black stripes running horizontally down behind their heads, which helps to identify this species. 

American cockroaches
American cockroaches are large in size. They have a distinctive, yellowish-colored figure-8 pattern located behind their heads. Both the males and females are strong fliers.

Oriental cockroaches
Oriental cockroaches, or “water bugs” as they are commonly called, have smooth, shiny bodies and are black or dark brown in color. They emit a powerful, unpleasant, musty smell that can be helpful in identifying their presence inside a home.

Brown-banded cockroaches
Brown-banded cockroaches are brown in color and have distinctive brown banding on their wings.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches pose a number of health risks to people. Cockroaches' shed skins and feces trigger allergic reactions and can cause skin rashes or asthma attacks in people, especially in young children. They are responsible for spreading a wide range of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and human pathogens that can cause diarrhea, dysentery, and salmonella poisoning. Before finding their way into your home, they have often been traveling through garbage piles, drains, sewers, carrion, and excrement. In addition, cockroaches contaminate food sources with their saliva and excrement.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

Cockroaches find their way into homes and businesses while foraging for food. Common entrance points for cockroaches include cracks and crevices in the foundation and exterior walls, spaces underneath doors and around windows, vents, open windows and doors, and through torn screens. Cockroaches are also brought into homes and businesses by accident inside deliveries, used furniture and appliances, cardboard boxes, or in potted plants.

Where will I find cockroaches?

German cockroaches are more often than not found living inside. German cockroaches nest in warm, humid, dark secluded places such as behind appliances or underneath cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms, in laundry rooms, and in pantry areas.

American cockroaches prefer to live outside on trees, in garden areas, underneath mulch, and in sewers and drains. They move inside while searching for food and when the weather outside becomes too hot and dry. They nest in humid rooms, including kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.

Oriental cockroaches prefer living and nesting in damp, dark places, and are commonly found living in sewers, drains, floor drains, and damp basements.

Brown-banded cockroaches prefer to live in warm, dry areas with temperatures over 80 degrees and often hide out in upper cabinets of kitchens and bathrooms.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

The easiest way to eliminate and control cockroach populations is to partner with a professional pest control company. At M.A.D. Exterminators, Inc. we offer the responsive residential pest control services in Pennsylvania needed to stop cockroaches from living and nesting in homes. Our experienced and highly trained technicians perform thorough inspections. We provide modern treatments to eliminate current cockroach problems and prevent future problems with cockroaches and other common household invaders. To learn more about eliminating cockroaches from your Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Berks, Philadelphia, or Delaware County home or business, contact M.A.D. Exterminators, Inc.!